DODIK: SRPSKA IS MAKING EFFORTS TO ATTRACT INVESTMENT

BANJA LUKA, SEPTEMBER 4 /SRNA/ - Republika Srpska is making every effort to create opportunities for Srpska to attract investment, and cooperation with China is part of those efforts, President Milorad Dodik said.

Speaking to reporters at the opening of the Republika Srpska Investment and Business Cooperation Forum for Chinese companies, Dodik said that the EU is facing a crisis when it comes to business activity, which is affecting Srpska's industrial development, and that alternatives are needed. "We are seeking them through forums such as this one, through the opening of a representative office of the Israeli Chamber of Commerce and through the visit of this significant Chinese delegation," Dodik said. He said that Republika Srpska has already completed significant projects with China, and pointed out that when Chinese President Xi Jinping speaks about the development of the Belt and Road Initiative, particularly in the Balkans, he highlights the first investment under the initiative as having been developed in Republika Srpska, namely the Stanari Thermal Power Plant. "The Chinese carried out the project using their own equipment. This put us on the map of Chinese businesspeople, because if you can build a thermal power plant, which is considered a megaproject, then you can undertake other projects as well," Dodik said. He pointed out that the world is currently undergoing major changes and facing turbulence. "They concern technological development and innovation. China is one of the global leaders in this field and is seeking to become dominant through such development. It already dominates in some areas, and it is in the natural interest of Republika Srpska to develop relations in this direction," Dodik said. The Republika Srpska Investment and Business Cooperation Forum for Chinese companies began today in Banja Luka, organized by the Chamber of Commerce and the Republika Srpska Government, in the presence of numerous Republika Srpska officials, as well as Chinese and local businesspeople. The forum, held at the headquarters of the Republika Srpska Government, is attended by President of Republika Srpska Siniša Karan, Prime Minister Savo Minić, ministers in the Republika Srpska Government, President of the Republika Srpska Chamber of Commerce Goran Račić, BiH Ambassador to China Siniša Berjan, Director of the Republika Srpska Investment and Development Bank Nedeljko Ćorić, and numerous representatives of Chinese companies. The forum brings together representatives of Republika Srpska institutions, the business community, and academia with representatives of Chinese companies and institutions with the aim of strengthening economic cooperation, presenting the investment potential of Republika Srpska, and creating new opportunities for business partnerships and investment.